Looking for cream or off-white kitchen cabinets versus a pure white? We’re sharing the 7 pros and cons you need to know for a modern antique paint (plus our top 5 off-white cabinet colors)!
To go with a bright white versus a cream kitchen cabinets color…THAT is the question! 🙂
You need to be just as particular about choosing your off-white or modern-antique white kitchen cabinet colors as you would be about choosing a pure white…
…because there are SO many different factors you’ll want to take into account!
For example, I’d ask you…
- “What color is your countertop?”
- “Is your countertop made of quartz, marble, or another material?”
- “How many windows or skylights do you have?”
- “What color are your floors?”
- “Do you have a specific hardware style or metal that you already know you want?”
…and my list of questions for you continues!
While some people might glance at our last kitchen and say, “That’s clearly a white kitchen!” they’d be surprised to hear a variety of opinions on whether it’s a strict pure, bright white…or a creamier, off-white cabinet color!
WHY and WHEN should you consider an off-white kitchen cabinet color versus a bright white?
Let’s discuss!👇
We’ll also answer popular questions such as
- “What color should I paint my kitchen cabinets?“
- “What shade of white is best for kitchen cabinets?“
- “Are off-white cabinets timeless?“
- “What shade of white is most popular for kitchen cabinets?“
Off-white vs white
The 3+ Pros of Off-White Kitchen Cabinets!
First, let’s look at the pros of a lighter cream kitchen cabinet color…
Off-white kitchen cabinet ideas
Pro #4: Look less “builder grade”!
The standard primer-colored builder grade cabinets people get from the usual stores (I’m not naming any names 😉 ) will never compare to a beautiful, well-chosen off-white that was clearly “customized” for the space!
Cream off-white kitchen cabinets
Pro #3: Matches with more countertop options!
A pure, bright white is not often found in natural stone and so if you’re going with a marble or other natural stone (or many quartz countertops which are creamier when you really look at them against bright white color swatches)…
…you’ll have a hard time making it look right unless you pull one of the beige, creams, or off-whites from your countertops!
Best off-white kitchen cabinets
Pro #2: Don’t show stains or age as easily!
Depending on factors such as
- how much sunlight is hitting your cabinets
- what you cook and how often it splatters on your cabinets
- how many children or pets you have that love to run their hands against and/or brush up against certain spots on your kitchen cabinets
- what cleaning products are used
…your off-white kitchen cabinets are more likely to age well!
ANTIQUE white kitchen cabinets
Pro #1: Softer and Warmer!
99% of the time, an off-white color in your kitchen will make it feel more subtle and less harsh-bright-in-your-face!
(You’ll see why I can’t make a 100% generalization when you read our 7 Strategies for Choosing the Perfect Interior Colors!)
MODERN WHITE KITCHEN
Even in this more “modern” sleek kitchen, the off-white color keeps this kitchen from feeling too stark!
Off-white kitchen cabinets
The 3 Cons of Off-White Kitchen Cabinets
I don’t always love an off-white kitchen cabinet, however…and here’s why!
ANTIQUE KITCHEN CABINETS
Con #3: Can Look Less “Fresh & Clean”!
This is why I ask my clients so many questions, look at their layouts and floors, etc. (see my list of questions at the start of this post!)…
…because if you don’t have the right combination, the wrong paint color won’t be doing you any favors on your cabinets!
OFF-WHITE cabinets
Con #2: Less Light Reflection!
Many creamy off-white cabinet colors aren’t as bright and won’t reflect as much light. In a kitchen with little to no natural light, this can feel too “stuffy” instead of fresh!
ANTIQUE WHITE cabinets
Con #1: Many Off-Whites Can Look Dated…
…so be careful what you choose! You don’t want to go too creamy yellow or buttery, as that can give a more farmhouse-y or dated look.
CREAM COLOR KITCHEN CABINETS
5 Off-White Kitchen Cabinet Ideas!
Enough of the “what NOT to do”…:) Let’s look at five more beautiful kitchens that used a cream or antique white paint color for their cabinets with success!
Kitchen with off-white cabinets
This one had to work both with
- One hardwood floor color, and
- Another wood color for the kitchen island!
Cream cabinet colors
If you’re wondering what colors you can get away with in your home, check out our 7 Genius Strategies for Choosing Interior Colors!
Kitchen with off-white cabinets
This kitchen is using Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee, which to us is the perfect shade of off-white (just a hint of subtle grey and a creamy beige blended)…
…it’s also the color we used in our big kitchen! 🙂
You may also notice we design a LOT of kitchens with all lower drawers…and there are 5 reasons we do this!
Antique off-white kitchen cabinets
Baskets are one of my favorite ways to break up a lot of a bright white (yes, even some “off-whites” can look super bright if there’s a lot of light, open shelving with mostly-white items on display, etc)…
…and I even recommend them in laundry rooms! (That’s another story! 🙂 )
Kitchen cabinets off white
Off White Kitchen Cabinets With Quartz Countertops
Depending on your cooking/living style, quartz countertops are a fantastic option we recommend often! (See the 10 Pros & Cons of Quartz HERE!)
We also share tips on how we saved a LOTTA MONEY on our quartz in the kitchen (and throughout bathrooms) in this post!
Off White kitchen cabinets paint colors
“What are the best off-white paint colors for my cabinets?”
#5: Alabaster (Sherwin-Williams SW 7008): A warm, creamy off-white with subtle undertones.
#4: Oyster White (Sherwin-Williams SW 7637): A soft, warm off-white with a hint of gray.
#3: Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore OC-65): A crisp, clean white with a slight warmth.
#2: Simply White (Benjamin Moore OC-117): A bright, fresh off-white with subtle warmth.
#1: Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore OC-45): A versatile, warm off-white with a slight beige undertone…our favorite “go-to” for most rooms!
If you want to make sure your white works with your floors (and you should!), you’ll love our post on White Kitchen Cabinets With Wood Floors!
Next…
See how to choose the perfect interior colors, or uplevel your game and grab our Kitchen Organization & Design Bundle today!
Or you might also enjoy:
- Make Life Easier: 21 Clever Kitchen Organization & Hidden Storage Ideas!
- How to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel (5+ Old vs New Ways!)
- A Breath of Fresh Air: Why We Designed Our Kitchen Island WITHOUT Pendant Lighting!
- Should you Extend Kitchen Cabinets to Ceiling?
- 5 Storage Mistakes Everyone Makes With Their Shelves & Cabinets!
PS: Our complete list of every single home project is viewable HERE!
